Cabinet is set to meet today to discuss legislation surrounding mandatory quarantine measures as pressure grows on the Government to crack down on foreign travel into the country.
Minister Stephen Donnelly is expected to bring forward the the legislation with the aim of tackling international travel into the State, and reduce the transmission of the virus - particularly the new variants.
It is believed that mandatory quarantine at a hotel for up to 14 days will apply to anyone who arrives from countries deemed to be high risk.
It comes as a decision is soon to be made about Ireland's lockdown rules with Level Five restrictions in place until March 5.
Ireland has seen some encouraging signs that infection is dropping in recent days with zero deaths reported for the first time yesterday since December.
However all indications are that there will be no major changes to restrictions from March 5 with lockdown likely to last into Easter.
Dr Ronan Glynn
Speaking during a Covid-19 press briefing on Monday Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said it was too soon to make plans for people to see each other at Easter.
He said the focus was still on ensuring children could return to school.
He also expressed concern after 100 cases have been discovered at a university in Galway and a number of other people are awaiting test results.
Dr Glynn said: "We simply cannot have that on a population level right now to continue to suppress the disease."
Stephen Donnelly
Speaking over the weekend Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said that it was still "too early" to give an accurate answer as to when lockdown measures might be lifted.
“With the uncertainty around vaccines and variants, it is hard to give an accurate answer.
“Progress is being made and we have the biggest fall in Europe. However, close contacts are going up again, the positivity rates remain high, the percentage of new cases in Dublin is going up again.
“It’s far too early given all of that to give an accurate answer.
“Close contacts are going up again, not a lot, but they are going back up again. Positivity rates remain high, particularly among close contacts. The percentage of new cases coming from Dublin is rising.
“We think there is more opportunity in terms of workplaces to help people to add extra protection as well. It’s far too early given all of that to give accurate predictions.”
Micheal Martin
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has warned that Ireland would have to see a "critical mass" of the population before there was any major reopening.
Mr Martin warned that pubs and restaurants could all stay shut for several more months over fears of the resurgence of the virus following the alarming spike after Christmas.
The Taoiseach also confirmed that restrictions similar to Level 5 will remain in place beyond March 5 as the Government aims to take a slow and conservative approach to reopening the country.
While he refused to be drawn on an exact reopening date, Mr Martin confirmed that supports for the pubs and restaurant sector would continue for some time.
Speaking to the media, Mr Martin said: “I don’t right now have a date (to reopen) to be honest with you.
"In terms of hospitality, when we come out of Covid-19 — and we will come out of it — there will not be a magic day when you can say that is the end of Covid-19 and the beginning of a new era.
When do you think lockdown should lift? What would you reopen first? Take our survey here or comment below.
